‘As a result of the close and long standing connection between the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton and RAF Cosford, we were able to arrange for 2 Alumni from the Rotary Young Leaders Awards (RYLA) course, Oliver Hall and Jack Fawcett-Enright, who are keen to join the RAF, to have a meeting with the Station Commander, Group Captain Baker and Station Warrant Officer Hagan.

Oliver and Jack were given a first hand insight into life in the RAF and the opportunities presented by a service career, together with some excellent advice as to how to go about fulfilling their ambitions. Oliver wants to be a pilot, flying the RAF’s large transport aircraft, while Jack is interested in becoming an IT or engineering specialist. Both Oliver and Jack said they were thrilled by the meeting and gained a tremendous benefit by being given the chance to meet the senior RAF Officers, the meeting having been arranged by PDG Richard Green from the club. 

The meeting was followed by a behind the scenes tour of RAF Cosford, during which the boys were given the chance to get up close and personal with a Jaguar fighter jet aircraft.’ 

Past District Governor Richard Green

The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton went to Uplands Junior School in Finchfield to hold a second Junior Technology Tournament at the invitation of teacher Fiona Gilbert after her colleague Carolyn Bryan who had seen, and been enthused by, the Rotary Junior Technology Tournament when it was demonstrated at a ‘Big Bang’ fair at the NEC., which is the UK’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people. 

The tournaments are a challenging and enjoyable way for young people to enrich their STEM (Science, Technology and Engineering) learning. They are designed for 8 -11 year olds and in partnership with The Rochester Bridge Trust Rotary provide an interesting and fun experience that tests the knowledge, innovation, teamworking and problem solving skills of the participants. The tournaments were recently granted a CREST (Creativity in Science and Technology) award by the British Science Association.

The youngsters, work in teams of 4 and solve an interactive technology based task and are required to design, model and build a solution with materials such as paper, card, clothes pegs, string and elastic rubber bands, using a premade wooden base, all supplied by Rotary free of charge. 

The children were eagerly awaiting the day and created some amusing names for their teams, such as ‘Electric Donkeys,’ ‘Master Builders,’ and ‘Bantock Bulldogs!’

The winning team- the self styled ‘Master Builders’ comprised Bohdi, Laura. Charlie and Simran, seen here with President Paul Lockley.

Team leader Rotarian Richard Green was accompanied by several Rotarians from the club. Richard, who has retired from a career in construction says ‘it’s very rewarding to see all of the boys and girls having such fun and being so involved in a very friendly and competitive way.’

‘I must admit that I was not as aware as I should have been about the work of the Central Youth Theatre in Wolverhampton. I was

Jane Ward MBE and just a few of the many members of Central Youth Theatre.

asked to present an award at their equivalent of the “Oscars”. It was one of the most uplifting events I have been to this Presidential year. Congratulations to all the winners and best wishes to Jane Ward and her staff in creating

such a vibrant evening. These young peo

President Paul and Barbara Lockley

ple are an inspiration and role models for their generation’.

President Paul Lockley.

Peter Williams, Ed Bolland, President Paul Lockley and Michael Walters.

Rotary Club of Wolverhampton Satellite Club Members Ed and Michael came and sold raffle tickets  in aid of the Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club where Michael is a coach. Their next Satellite meeting is at the Bell in Trysull on 26^th November where they will  they will discuss their sleigh collection at Asda Wolverhampton on 6^th December. Michael stayed for lunch and recounted how he met Peter (and Rotary)  on the day that some group had ‘pinched his athletics track’ – it was our very own Best Foot Forward!

Two grants have recently been given to the Kingswood Trust continuing our support for a local organisation that gives children a stimulating environment in which to develop and learn.

A grant of £3,880 was given to fund the Trust’s “Hoot” project. This is an educational development for young people focussing on the creation of an environment for owls and small mammals where they can prosper and be studied. The funding will assist with the purchase of night vision binoculars, owls and mammal books and session costs for groups of children.

The second grant for £602.50 comes from funds raised by a Club member and will go towards replacing equipment in order to ensure a full range of environmental activities can be undertaken.

Kingswood is a long-standing education facility which became an independent trust in 2014. It provides outdoor education activities for learning with nature set in nine acres of natural environments, wildlife and resident animals. It connects children and the community to the natural world.

Please    Click here to learn more about the work and services of The Kingswood Trust.

l-r, President Elect Richard Horrell, Rtn Richard Walton, Rtn Stuart Williams, Rtn Mike Colley and President Paul Lockley

The Tree of Remembrance was officially opened by President Paul on Saturday 17th November. The names of those loved ones remembered are mounted in the cabinets shown below with a message from family or friends. This year to mark the 100th Anniversary of the end of The Great War there are also, mounted in the cabinets, poignant messages and photographs in memory of those who fought and often lost their lives in the conflict.
The Tree of Remembrance has raised over £100,000 since its start in 2004. This year’s charities include; Compton Care, The M.S. Therapy Centre, The Haven (Wolverhampton), Help for Heroes and The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton’s Rotary Charities.